Ateneo dismisses 'bully' student in viral video

MANILA, Philippines – (Updated) The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) on Sunday dismissed the student caught bullying another student in the comfort room of the school, with the video went viral online recently.
Ateneo expels bully student in viral video

The decision was announced on Facebook by University President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin "after a thorough investigation that included listening to all parties involved."

"The junior high student is no longer allowed to come back to Ateneo," the statement reads.

Villarin said he has already informed the parents of both students about the decision and offered them continued support to help them overcome this difficult time.

Ateneo also emphasized its stand against bullying."There are already policies and processes codified in the Student Handbook, all accord with existing legislation, but we still need to ensure that these...are internalized by all memmbers of the community."

Villarin added that Task Force was created to conduct a comprehensive study of the current situation.

"We acknowledge that this incident has inflicted widespread and profound pain not only on the persons involved and their families, but on each member of the community," he said.

Villarin encouraged everyone to help the involved parties to heal instead of "adding fuel to the fire."

"We can summon the courage to stop fighting one another. We have that power too. We can begin by refusing add fuel to the fire and helping our children and one another heal,” he said.

Ateneo released decision on bullying incident at the Junior High School
Ateneo released decision on bullying incident at the Junior High School.

In the viral video, a student was seen provoking another student with verbal taunts. He asked him to choose between "bugbog" (to be beaten) or "dignidad" (to kiss his shoes and his private part). The “attacker”, who later on was found out to be a black belter in Taekwondo, started kicking and beating the other student.

The Department of Education (DepEd) already voiced out to intervene only if “one party is not satisfied with the results of the investigation.”

DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said “Our regional director has written the principal of the school stating na itong matter na ito ay nakaabot na sa aming kaalaman and we trust that they will handle this based on the standards of the child protection policy and that we be updated on the matter.”

— The Summit Express



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